In a surprising twist during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) failed to secure two key players who had been vital to their bowling attack in recent seasons. After many efforts, CSK failed to buy back Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande. Both players, who had contributed significantly to CSK’s success in previous years, were bought up by rival franchises Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals respectively.
CSK Losses Deepak Chahar to Mumbai Indians; Tushar Deshpande’s Departure to Rajasthan Royals
The most notable move was Deepak Chahar’s shift from CSK to arch-rivals Mumbai Indians. Chahar, a player who had become a reason for CSK’s success, especially in the powerplay overs, was expecting to return to the franchise. Chahar had been a key part of CSK’s bowling attack since 2018, excelling with his swing and precision. In the 2019 season, he claimed 22 wickets in 17 matches, playing a crucial role in the team’s run to the final.
However, during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, CSK was unable to retain Chahar after a fierce bidding war. Starting at a base price of INR 2 crore, Chahar’s price quickly escalated as multiple franchises, including Punjab Kings (PBKS) and MI, entered the war. MI, determined to strengthen their pace attack, eventually secured Chahar for INR 9.25 crore, a record price for the pacer. CSK’s efforts to retain him with a bid of INR 8 crore were not enough, and Chahar ended up with MI, marking a painful loss for CSK.
Another setback for CSK came with the loss of Tushar Deshpande to Rajasthan Royals. Deshpande had played a crucial role in CSK’s 2023 IPL title run, taking 21 wickets in 16 matches. He followed this up with a consistent performance in 2024, taking 17 wickets in 13 matches, proving his value as a reliable pacer for the team. His ability to bowl in the death overs made him an essential part of CSK’s bowling lineup.
In this year’s auction, CSK made an early bid to bring Deshpande back, but Rajasthan Royals soon joined the bidding. After a tense auction battle, CSK chose not to exercise their Right to Match (RTM) option when the price reached INR 6.50 crore. Deshpande was ultimately bought by Rajasthan Royals for this amount, marking the end of his stint with CSK.
Both Chahar and Deshpande’s departures were a blow to CSK, who had relied on their bowling abilities in recent seasons. With these key players now gone, CSK faces the challenge of rebuilding their pace attack ahead of the 2025 season.
Also read: List of Players CSK Bought in IPL 2025 Mega Auction
Thank you for reading.
